Process of winning aluminium or other metals from their compounds.



No. 889,098` PATENTBD MAY 26, 1908, H. s. BLAGKMORE.

PROCESS 0E WINNING ALUMINIUM 0R OTHER METALS FROM THEIR s SHEETS-SHEET 1.l

COMPOUNDS. APPLICATION FILED 113.25, 1907.

MWI/6555 No. 889 098. PATENTED MAY 2 1 H. s. BLAGKMORE. 6 908 PROOBSS OP WINNING ALUMINIUM OR OTHER METALS PROM THEIR COMPOUNDS. APPLIOATION FILED PB B. 25, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 u+ IH IH BH 11H DH un No. 889,098. H. S. BLAGKMORE. PATENTED MAY 26, 1908. PROCESS OF WINNING ALUMINIUM OR OTHER METALS FROM THEIR COMPOUNDS.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 25, 1907.

HENRY SPENCER BLAGKMORE,

or MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF WINNING ALUMINIUM R OTHER METALS FROM THER, COMPOUNDS.

To all whom it may concern; a

Be it known that 1, HENRY SPENCER BLAoKMo'RE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Vernon, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful .Improvements in Processes of Winning Aluminium or other Metals from Their Compounds, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to facilitate the reduction of metal compounds by the action of electricity in such a manner that a larger yield of metal' may be obtainedl in shorter time and with less expenditure of electrical energy than hitherto, and alsoto provide a composition, within which the metalis to be reduced, which will beof such selective density that the metals reduced will readily separate therefrom by gravity, so that ythey may be collected and withdrawn from either above or below the molten constituents without necessarily stoppingy the process of reduction, whereby the reduction process may becarried on continuously without interruption by adding fresh metal-- containing substance t0. be reducedY and withdrawing the reduced metal from time to time as desired; the principal object' beingn to lower the electrical resistance, and increase the electrical decomposition voltage of the chemical bathabove that of the current employed and necessary to reduce the compound of the metal desired with refer- `ence to the prior art and decrease the density or gravity of the chemical bath or vehicle for the electrolyte, sothat loss is prevented; that a saving of electrical energy over that ordinarily required to maintain fusion of the substances is attained, that a ready settling or separation of the reduced metal in or from the fused chemical bath, thus preventing loss by oxidation, or suspension 1n the bath, is

" accomplished; that a saving7 of electrolytic current, which is ordinarily st in rocess'es wherethe voltage pointl of electro ytic disassociation of the bath ap roximates that of the disru tingv voltage o the. metal com- -pound to e reduced, is assured; and that if the viscosity of the bath is increased, so that the more or lessv ilocculent metal oxid suplied to the bath Will, during the process of liquefaction, remain floating upon or suspended Within the solvent or fusant chemlcal bath, thus preventing it settlingupon the cathode and increasing the electrical re- Specication of Lett-ers Patent. vApplication led February 2 5, '1907.- Serial No. 359,304.

sistancey as Patented may ac, 190s.

experienced in theprior art is avolded.

.My process is particularly adapted to thel reduction of the earth metals, such .as aluminium, but is not limited thereto, as many other metals may be reduced by substituting other substances containing metal different from that existing combined in the solvent orfusant bath, the metal of which is desired, without departing from the spirit of my invention. p

In carrying out my process for the reduction of aluminium from its oxid I proceed as follows, reference being directed -to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred form of apparatus which may be employed of Which- Y. Figure l is a plan ortop view. 2 is a vertical section on the line R-R. Figs. 1, 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line S-S, Fig. 1. Fig. 4, illustrates another method of supplying the two lsectional view of Fig. S, and Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view on the lines R-R, Figs. 8 and 9 all illustrating various means of-applying polyphase, alternating, or other non-metal-l 'elding electriclcurrents to the solvent chem- 1cal bath for the purpose of melting the same.

In referring to the figures aforementioned, the letter A designates a bx or receptacle, preferably of iron, lined with a substance, such as carbon B, in such a manner as to forma receptacle for the substances to be reduced, and the solvent chemical bath therefor, in which is an electrical conductor and a resistant, preferably of fusible nature, such as calcium and magnesium fluoride in pro Y ortion of about one of the former to two o the latter by weight, to which may be preferably added either potassium chlorid per se or a mixture of sodium iuor'idf and potassium chlorid in about equal parts by Weight, either the potassium chlorid or the-mixture of sodium iluorid and potassium chlorid being ladded in small quantities for the purtime to time and is of such viscosity that any undissolved aluminium oxidl will be prevented from settling and accumulating on the cathode,. by being floated u on or suspended therein, thus avoiding electrical resistance, which might thus otherwise be occasioned. The material such as calcium'and ma nesium fluorids, as before stated, .is intro uced in the apparatus through the openings E, which are closed by the insulated covers or plugs F passing in the insulatin fcover X through which pass the electrodes G, T, which electrodes preferably consist of, or contain, carbon.

The box or receptacle A is connected as cathode in a direct or metal-yielding electric circuit, while the electrodes G are connected as anode, when employing a direct current for electrolyzing or dissociating aluminium oXid, or other metal containing compound. In starting the apparatus I pass through the alternate carbon rods, or electrodes T and G, a polyphase, alternating, or other electric current of such character that it. will not yield Ametal from the substances' employed, and

start the passage of the electric current between the electrodes G and T by placing be- Atween the samepieces of gra hitized carbon or heated charcoal and then eed in the mix- -ture of calcium and magnesium `iluorids tion, while the raphitized carbon or char- -of the direct or metalcoalloats upont e accumulating fused chemical bath, assuring a non-oxidizing atmosphere. When` the solvent bath has become suitably fused and of sufficient volume, I pass a direct, or electrolytic current, through the same between the electrodes G, which constitute the anode, and the carbon lining of the pot B, which is so connected as to constitute the cathode, and add to the fused chemical bath aluminium oxid, which`dissolves therein or is liquefied thereby below its normal'melt' oint.

It will be note t at the chemical bath is maintained in a state of fusion by the ac-tion of thel non-metal-yielding electric current passed between the electrodes G and T, each alternate one of which, constitutes the anode 'elding current, and that the non-metal- 'e ding or heating current is passed thrpug the 'fused conductor in a path disposed atan angle to the path of the direct or metal-yieldingcurrent, as indicated by the small arrows passing through the bath between the non-metal-yieldi g current electrodes or contacts G and l?, Fig. 3. l

In Fig. 4 is illustrated a modification whereby the non-metal-yielding current is passed through the fused chemical bath between independent non-metal-yielding electrodes or contacts T, each alternate one of which is connected as the alternate terminus communicating with the opposite poles of an alternating or other non-metal-yielding electric generator.

After the operation is started I introduce from time to time into the molten chemical bath through the openin s E by removing the insulated covers, or p ugs F, aluminium oXid, which almost immediately becomes liquefied by the action of the solvent bath.

As thealuminium oXid becomes liquefied, by the action of the chemical solvent, or fusant bath, it is dissociated by the clectrolytic or metal-yielding current of electricity passing between the anodes G and the carbon lining B, Which constitutes the cathode, liberating oxygen at the anode which combines with the carbon thereof and escapes as gaseous carbon oxids, while the metallic aluminium is deposited at the cathode and eventually accumulates in a molten mass resting at the bottom upon the furnace lining, and acts thereafter as a molten metal cathode protecting the carbon bottom of the' furnace from the corrosive action of the chemical bath. It is advisable in starting a furnace as shown in of the aforesaid character to iirst pour in a of a polyphase, alternating, or other form of electricity incapable of'yielding metal from. the substance employed, while the whole of the direct current may be utilized for electrolytic or metal-yielding purposes in dissociating or electrolyzing the metal compound to be reduced, which has been li uefied by the action of the chemical bath be ow its normal melting point. The eat advantage gained by such o eration will be seen when the cheapness wit which `a,non-me'tal-yielding current ma `be produced, transmitted, and employed or heating pur oses as compared with the more expensive irect current, which more expensive direct current may be whollyemplo edI for the (purpose of metal 'elding and e ectrolytical liberation of the aluminium or other metal Without loss. The aluminium, or other metal, reduced is withdrawn from time to issociation in the time as desired through the tap-holeiK and the trough L by removing the plug I, the

- gaseous by-products escaping through the conduits M N.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, I have illustrated an lother means. whereby the substances are maintained in a molten condition by passing therethrough an alternating, or other nonmetal-yielding current of electricity between the electrodes 'I and G independent of and insulated from the furnace by the insulation O. By the means here illustrated all the vertical carbon electrodes G are connected as anode in the circuit of the direct or metalyielding current, and simultaneously act as an electrode for the alternating or other nonmetal-yielding current employed for the purpose of maintaining the fusion of the ingredients, thereby admitting ofl a larger electrolytic yield of metal. In these figures, viz., 5, 6, and 7, similar letters of reference constitute corresponding parts with those of 1, 2, 3' and 4.

When the calcium and magnesium fluorids are fused together in the formation of the solvent bath for the metal compounds to be reduced, as hereinbefore described, they appear to unite or assimulate with each other in such a manner as to form a solvent bath for the metal compounds to be reduced, which dissolves the same without further combination or reactiom, or in other words, is inert thereto. By adding copper oXid with-aluminium oXid, or copper aluminate, to the solvent chemical bath, copper-aluminium alloys maybe produced by electrolysis, provided the voltage of the'direct or metalyielding current is suicient to liberate the more electro-positive metal, viz., aluminium, or by adding aluminates of other metals or mixtures of other oxids of`metals, to which aluminium oxid acts as acid, other aluminium alloys may likewise be produced. I can also employ instead of aluminates or compositions of aluminium oXid with other metals,`the oXid or oxids of other metals combined with other` metals, such as chromates, vanadatesystanates, tungstates, molybdates, etc., the alloys of which, or more electro-negative metal of which, is desired,

'so long as their reduction is performed in a solvent chemical bath consisting of luorids of metal other than that of the metal to be reduced, to which maybe added metal chlo- ,.-rids to facilitate fusion, which chlorids are of metals requiring a greater voltage to disrupt orf dissociate electrically than the dierent metal compound to be reduced. Y

The compounds, aforenoted, of metals to be reduced, such as-aluminates, may also be of the thio, or other variety, in place of the ,oXy-compounds, so long as the reduction takes place in a molten bath of fluorids of metals diHerent from that of the metal to be reduced, and which iiuorid-s or additive fluxing agent or fusant require a higher voltage to be electrically dissociated than that required for the reduction of the metal desired, as aforesaid. An individual metal of such compounds to be reduced, containing more than one metal, may be electrically separated by employing an electric current of such selective voltage that the lesser electro-positive metal may be reduced, leaving the other still combined with electro-negative constituents, in which case the original metal compound. may be regenerated or produced directly by adding the necessary cornpound of the metal being reduced, such as the reduction of chromium, vanadium, tin, tungsten, or molybdenum, from the aforesaid compounds and regenerating or reformingthem by adding the metal oxids to the molten constituents which combine with the undecomposed lportion of the previously electrically actedV upon com ound of the more electro-positive metal tlferein remaining, and thus producing more fusible compounds of the metal desired than the oXids' per se: Of course it goes without saying that if the' voltage is sufficiently high both metals of the compound will be reduced producing alloys, or separate metals if either is volatile and the temperature is above its volatilizing point.

My invention, broadly stated, therefore,

consists in exposing a molten body of metal compounds to the-action of an electric current ca able of selectively separating one o`r more o the metals-therefrom without reducing the metal having greater aflinity for the electro-negative constituents with which it is combined while replenishing the bathvfrom time to time with a com ound of the metal or metals desired, the so vent bathin which the electrolysis of the metals is performed comprising fluorids only of metals which are different from that of the metal to be reduced andrequiring a voltage greater to disrupt or dissociate electrically than the metal compound to be reduced within or associated with the aforesaid chemical fluori'd o solvent bath.'

pated to form a chemical bath for the electrical reduction of metals comprising fluorids of metals only which are different from that of the metal to be reduced, and which iiuorids are electrically dissociated or decomposed only at a voltage greater than that necessary to reduce the metal desired', which bath liqueiies or fusesthe metal compound, the metal or alloy ofwhich is desired, below its normal lmelting point, and which after liquefaction is subjected to the action of a directv or .other current of electricity capable of yielding or liberating the metal, Wherebythe aluminate, on other metal compound mag b e Y.

reduced continuously by sup lying it time to time to the fused sollvent bath or forming it therein, as increments are reduced to a metallic state, as performed by my process.

A further important and novel feature of my rocess is that I fuse and maintain fusion of t e solvent chemical bath by the action y of a polyphase, alternating, or other nonmetal-yielding current of electricity passed through the same between electrodes, one of which constitutes or is incommon with the anode in the electrolytic circuit, and reduce the metal from its compound contained-in the fused bath by the action of an electric current capable of yielding a metal therefrom.

Instead of employing calcium and magnesium liuorids to which may be added sodium fluorid, potassium chlorid, or both, I can employ in conjunction therewith such more electro-positive metal fluorids of lesser density than that of the metal compound to be reduced, as glucinum or beryllium iuorid in cases Where particular lightness or low specific gravity of the bath is desired.

In the reduction of refractory metal oXids, such as aluminium oXid or aluminates dissolved in a molten bath of chemicals, as hereinbefore set forth, the refractory metal Oxy-compound is dissolved by the action of a fused chemical solvent, and its liquefaction below its normal melting point is accomlished, by the direct solvent action of the sed chemical bath without the expenditure of either heat or electrical energy to accomplish its individual fusion. The liquefaction of the refractory metal oXid is therefore accomplished by means other than the action of an electric current. y

ItV will be noted that the non-metal-yieldfin current employed for fusing and'mainta ning the fusion of the bath containing the metal-containing substances, em loyed in my process, is passed through the used substances in such a manner that its path is at Y an angle to the path of the direct or metalyielding current. The advantage. of disposlng the non-metal-yielding current employed' for fusion Ipurposes at an angle to the direct or metal-yie ding current maybe seen when it 1s understood that during the employment of the direct current for'fusion and elecdisposing a fusing or non-metal-yielding cur-V.l rent that its path is at an angle tothe path of the direct o'r metal-yielding current the maintenance 'of the fusion of the substances isassured and the difficulty ex erienced in the prior art obviated: It will a so be noted that by the employment of the preferable means of fusion which includes the anode Gras a common electrode for the polyphase, alternating, or other non metalielding current, that the fusion may be ready maintained with a reduction of thel number of electrodes otherwise necessary, and without interfering with the electrol tic dissociation of the metal compound to e reduced, and also Without communicating the alternating or non metal yielding current with the cathode.

The advantage gained by applying the nonmetal-yielding, alternating, or heating current through anodes independent of the cathodes, is, that when heating currents, such as alternating, are communicated through a cathode the rapid oxidation and reduction due to the alternating conditions of each half cycle, results in producing a semi-resistant condition to the surface of the cathode, due to the transient superficiall formation of nonconductive substances, such as oxids, which are of more or less resistant nature to the direct, electrolytic, or metal-yielding current, and which are being alternately transiently formed and decomposed, or oxidized and deoxidized as the case may be, by the rapid alternating current action, which however, does not permanently or practically yield any y metal but results only in producing heat energy by passing through increments of the metal-containing substance. It is obvious that by applying the heating current through anodes, anodes and se arateA electrodes, or separate electrodes in ependently, that the semi resistant condition transiently and superficially produced when the cathode is employed in common as alternatin or heating electrode, 1s avoided, thus resu ting in a saving of direct or metal-yielding current and consequent greater yieldl of metal per watt of electrolytic current.

The preferable liuorids which I em loy for the solvent or liquefying bath are tlpiose which are of more electroositive metal nature with reference to the e ectro-negative element, or elements, of the` different metal compound to be reduced, and the volatilizable oint of which, and electrical dissociatin or isrupting point of which, is above that o the metal compound to be reduced, such for instancefin the reduction of aluminium as magnesium or glucinum, (beryllium) fluorid;

lit being noted that the metal base'and com-' pounds are of less gravity than the metal to be reduced, viz., aluminium,

In man-y cases care must be taken to prevent an oxidizin atmosphere communicatin with the moIten uorid bath of metals di erent from the metal to be reduced, or more electro positive thereto, to prevent oxidant transformations resulting in loss of fluorin, which can' be prevented largely by the presence of carbon orcharcoal upon the surface of the molten ingredients.y

In the reduction of aluminium from alumina, or aluminium oxid, I prefer to employ as a constituentof the solvent bath, a fluorid or fluorids of metals having greater affinity for oxygen than aluminium, such as calcium, magnesium or beryllium (glucinum), so disposed orv associated that their gravity in a used condition Will be such that it Will be lighter than the aluminium reduced Within its body. y

Ma nesium fluorid is found to be a most valua le component or constituent of the composition of the electrolyte or vehicle therefor, for the reason that it requires a higher voltage to reduce or electrolyze than the oxids of most metals desired to be reduced, thus assuring permanency of the molten vehicle for the oXid or other electrolyte during electrolysis, Withoutl electrical decomposition; or its loW gravity, ready fusibility, and comparatively low resistance to the electric current, results in the ready separation or settling of metal electrolytical y reduced in the molten chemical bath or electrolyte vehicle, and a saving of power to lmaintain fusion; it is comparatively less rect or metal-yielding current.

volatile at high temperatures than most fluorids thus effecting a savin of molten electrolyte vehicle or chemica bath over that required for other halogen compounds,

,it can also be'manufactured without diflculty and at a comparatively low cost to that of other halogen compounds; it also is a read y solvent or liquefying agent in a fused state for metal oxids of refractory nature and compounds to be electrolyzed, and does not form carbids in the bath readily and retards contamination with foreign metal contents.

ln Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is illustrated another modification of. apparatus for carr ing out my process, in Which all the e ectrodes through which the alternating or other nonmetal-yielding or heating electric current is supplied or conveyed to and from the molten electrolyte are utilized as anodes for the di- This is accom lished by employing two sources from Whic the direct or metal-yielding current is derived, the carbon lining B of the interior of the furnace being connected to act as common cathode for the direct current derived from both sources, by means of the contacting attachments D1, and D2, respectively; the opposite electrodes or anodesG contacting with' the bus bars communicating with the alternating or other non-metal-yielding or heating current; for exam le, the series of electrodes located central ongitudinally of the apparatus on the line S-S Fig. 8, as illustrated in Fig. 10, are connected as one electrode in the alternating, non-metal-yielding or heating circuit, and also as anode for the direct or metal-yielding current circuit communicating With the furnace at D1, While the electrodes running longitudinally on either It will be noted in all cases that the intel rior or the carbon lining of the furnace constitutes the cathode in a direct or metalyielding current circuit,vcommunicating with the furnace through the. contacting attachments D, D1, and D2.

When the process is carried on as indicated with reference to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the heating current passes between the central electrodes through the electrolyte to those on either side, and at an angle to the path of the direct or metal-yielding current circuit, and thus maintains fusion of the ingredients independent of the metal-yielding current, While the central series of electrodes also act as anode .for one direct current circuit, and the series of electrodes on either side act as anode for a separate direct current circuit,'the carbon lining vof the furnace acting'as a common electrode or cathode for both direct current circuits, While the anodes of both circuits are in common with the alternatin non-metalyielding, or heating circuit e ectrodes; by this means the substances to be electrically acted upon can be fused and electrolyzed by the action of heating and metal-yielding electric currents Without the necessity of emloying any electrodes or contacts for the lieating current se arate or distinct from the anodes of the meta -yielding current, thereby economizing space, time, Wear and tear on the apparatus, and the electricity required to accomplish a given amount of metal yield.

When a direct current of electricity, capable of yielding metal from liquefied substances containing the saine, is employed for the dual and common urpose of accomplishiner both fusion and e ectrolysis, such as results in the so-called Bradle process, it is found, for example, durin t e reduction of aluminium, that should t e fused bath become depleted of aluminium oxid by electrolysis, that the resistance quickly rises, resultin i-n the burning or volatilization of the fused ath resulting mloss as Well as electrically overloading and overheating other furnaces when connected' in series, to avoid which a large number of men havel to be emis employed for both fusion and electrolysisv the bath is not uniformly heated, but is hottest at the anodes, while the alternating,

non-metal-yielding, or other heating current,

A as em loyed in this process, heats equally throug out the mass of ingredients, and thus saves the anodes from combustion by overheating and producing an even fusion of the ingredients.

It is well known that it requires a certain current density of electricity to fuse and maintain fusion of certain substances, and that when a direct current is employed for that purpose that it impinges u on the anodes and the heat is concentrate( at that point, as the current travels in one'direction only, and hence, the anodes become over heated, resulting in loss of energy, and are consumed by oxidation where exposed to the atmosphere also resulting in loss of carbon anodes unless artificially cooled by waterjacket or otherwise to prevent combustion;

'this is a well known and unavoidable difficulty met with during the employment of direct current for the dual pur ose of fusion n and electrolysis in electric sme ting processes and much time and money has been eX- pended to obviate it if however, an alternatmg current or a non-metal-yielding current is employed for fusion and maintenance thereof, the current travelinor in different or multiple directions e ually divides the heat energy between the e ectrodes, two or more, impinging equally on all, and hence, while the fusion effect is accomplished, less heat is generated at each of the anodes than when a direct current is used, and also less current y of this character is necessary, as the feed ingredie'nts are more evenly heated and convection is not depended .upon to such a large extent for the diffusion of heat throughout the ingredients. If therefore, the heat of the fusion current is divided between electrodes, then a art of the heat formerly liberated ,or evolve at the anodes alone must be liberated or evolved at other oints in the ingredients, and hence when t e anodes of direct current (which is only`employed to liberate ing current to an electric current incapable' Aordinarily of yielding metal from liquefied metal-containing substances, such as an alternating or polyphase electric current, and wh1ch currents are specially 4adapted for heating purposes.

I am aware that metals have been reduced electrically from com ounds thereof associated with like-metal uorids and fluorids of more electro-positive metals, such as the electrolysis of aluminium oXid, producing metallic aluminium, in the presence of aluminium fluorid and fluorids of sodium and potassium; in this case, however, the like-metalv fluorid, such as aluminium fluorid, increases the electrical resistance, the fusing point, and the density of the chemical bath, and being inert, it lends nothing materially to the ingredients to facilitate the reduction of the metal compound to be reduced. In my process the electrical resistance, density, and fusing point, of the bath is reduced vby employing halogen-containing compounds of metals only which are different and distinct from the metal to be reduced, whereby the density of the ingredients differ more widely from that of the metal to be reduced, and allow the metal to readily separate by gravity, when liberated, so that it can be collected and withdrawn from above or below the same from time to time as desired without interferingwith the rocess of reduction; alsov the fusing point an( electrical resistance of the di'li'erent metalfluorids beinglower than that of the like -vmetal lluorid, less heating current is reruired to maintain fusion of the ingredients. am also aware that metals have been chemically reduced or liberatedv from halogen-containing compounds thereof by the action of an ion evolved or generated during the electrolysis of a different metal conipound associated therewith, and also that metals have been chemically, reduced or liberated from their oxids and the like by the action of an ion evolved or generated during the electrolysis of halogen-containing comounds of different metals associated therewith and that halogen-containing compounds have been electrolyzed yielding their metal content directly by electrolysis While the metal-containing halogen compound was regenerated 'by the action of the halogen ion, simultaneously evolved or generated during the electrolytic reduction of. the metal, on a like metal oxid in the presence of carbon, but in these processes the metal desired is either yielded or liberated from halogen containing compounds directly or indirectly by the action of a chemical liberating agent derived by the electrolysis of a foreign substance associated there-With, or the metal desired is derived from a foreign substance associated with the halogen-containing com ounds by the action of an ion resulting fromtlie electrolysis or electrolytic decomposition of the halogen compound, or by the direct electrolysis or electrolytic decomposition of the halogen-containing compound, in either event of which the halogencontaining compound is decomposed or the halogen liberated by either chemical or electrolytic means ,resulting in loss ofthe original halogen-containing chemical bath and requiring a voltage high enough to liberate the halogen from the halogen-containing compound resulting in loss of chemical bath and.

power. In the present process the halogencontaining compounds present in the original bath are inert to the cation or ions, or metal electrolytically reduced and the-halogen-containing chemical compound remains practicalljT constant in composition inv the bath and is not lost by either chemical or electrical dcvcomposition as in the processes of the -prior art noted, the voltage of the electrolytic current being below that required to liberate the halogen from the halogen-containing metal compounds present, and the electrolytic cation or metal desired being inert to the aforesaid halogen metal containing com pound does not decompose or injure the same..

The term inert" employed herein in reference to the electrolytic ion is intended to imply and does imply that it neither decomposes or combines with, nor is decomposed by the halogen-containing metal compound or the chemical constituents of the solvent chemical bath or vehicle for the metal conipound to be electrolytically reducedor decomposed or from which the metal desired is electrolytically` liberated or yielded, and by the expression inert to the electrolytic cation as employed in the claims, is meant thatin the operation; of the process, as dis- -closed in the speciiication, the halogen-containing compound does not react with the electrolytic cation.

The presence of carbon as anode, electrode,l or otherwise, in contact with or presence of the metal-containing substance to be reduced, in conjunction with the electric current, in cases where the electro-negative constituent of the metal to be .reduced combines with, or has an aflinity for carbon, aug` ments and facilitates the electrical reduction by generating heat during unionofthe elecf tro-negative content of the metal compound to be reduced, such as oxygen in aluminium oXid, therewith, thus economizing boththe electrolyzing and heating currents of the electricity employed. If the electrodecon sists of a material which is not acted upon by the electro-negative constituents evolved during reduction, this augmenting action, of course, is not available. Where the electrical or electrolytical reduction is mentioned in this specification and claims, it is intended to imply, include, or cover the condition of reduction with, .or without, the augmentation of electrodes or substances capable of combining with the electro-negative constituents of the substance, the metal content of which is to be reduced to a metallic state or condition.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and "desire to secure by Letters Patent is f 1. The process of winning aluminium` or other metal from substances containing the same, which consists in electrically liberating the metal from its compound with elements other than halogens, While associated with halogen-containing compounds of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal-containing substance to the combined action of a metalsuch metals as are different rom the metal to be reduced, one of which is magnesium.

3. The process of winning aluminium or other metals from substances containing the same, which consists in electrically liberating th`e metal from its compound withelements other than halogen, while associated with iluorin-containing compounds oi only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal-containing substance to the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate fluorin from the dilierent metal com ound,

but capable of liberating-the metal esired, and a non-metal-yielding current capable of fusing and maintaining fusion of the ingredients communicated through the anodes.A

4. The process of winning aluminium or other metal from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the metal from its compound with elements other than halogens, by electrolysis, while associated with fluorin-containing compounds of only .such metals as are different from ,the metal to be reduced, one of which is magnesium.

`5. The pro'cess of.winnin`g aluminium or other metalfrom substances containing the same, which consists in electrically liberating the metal fromv its compounds, with elements otherl than halogens, while associated with iluorid of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal-containing substance to the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate fluorin from the different metal luorid, but capable of liberating the metal desired, and a non-metal-yielding current capable ofI fusing and maintaining fusion of the ingredients communicated .through the anodes.

6. The process of yWinning aluminium or other metal from substances containing the same, Which consists of liberating the metal from its compounds with elements other than halogens, by electrolysis, While associated with luorid of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, one of Which is magnesium.

7. The process of winning aluminium or other metal from substances containing the same, which consists in liberating the metal from its compounds with elements other than halogens, While associated With halogencontaining compounds of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, one of which is magnesiu'm'iluorid, by subjecting the metal-containing substance to the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate the halogen from the different metal com ound, but capable of liberating the metal i esired.

8. The process oi Winning aluminium or other metal from substances containing the same, which consists of liberating metal from its compounds with elements other than halo en, by electrolysis, While associated Wit halo en-containing compounds of only such meta s as are diiferent'frorn the metal to be reduced, one of'which is magnesium.

9. The process of Winning aluminium from substances containing the same, Which consists of electrically liberating aluminium from its compounds with elements other than halogens, While associated with halogencontaming com ounds of only such metals as are different rom aluminium, by subjecting the aluminium-containing substance to` the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate the halogen from the different metal compounds, but capable of liberating aluminium, and a nonmetal-yieldin vcurrent capable of fusing and maintaining usion of the ingredients communicated through the anodes.

10. The process of Winning aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists of subjecting aluminium combined with elements other than halogens, to electrolysis, While associated with halogen-containingf compounds of only such metals as are di erent from aluminium, one of Which is magnesium.

11. The process of Winning metal from its Oxy-compounds, which consists in electrically liberating the metal from its Oxy-comypound containing elements other than halogens, While -assoc1ated With halogen-contain- 1n compounds of only such metals .as are di erent from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting .the metal Oxy-compound to` the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to 'liberate the halogen -from its different metal com ound, but capable of liberating the metal esired.

different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal Oxy-compound to the action of an electric current of a Voltage below that necessary to liberate fluorin fromits different metal compounds, but capable of .liberating the metal desired.

14. The process of winning metal from its Oxy-compounds, which consists in electrolyzing a metal Oxy-compound containing elements other than halogen, While associated with fluorin-containing compounds of only such metals as are different rom the metal desired and which fluorin-containing compounds lare inert to the electrolyti'c cation.

15. The process of Winning metal from its Oxy-compounds, which consists in electrically liberating the metal from its oXy-compound containing elements other than halogens, While associated With luorid of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal oxycompound to the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate luorin from thedife'rent metal fluorid, but capable of liberating the metal desired.

16. The process of Winning metal from its ling compounds of only such metals as are l Oxy-compounds, which consists in electrolyzing a metal Oxy-compound containing elements other thanhalo en, While associated With i'luorid ofonly suc metal as is different from the metal desired and which luorid is inert to the electrolytic cation.`

17.. The process of Winning metal from its oxid, Which consists in electrically liberating f the metal from its oXid, While associated With halogen-containing compounds of onl such metals as are different rom the meta to be reduced, by subjecting the metal oxid to the action of an electric current of a volta e below that necessary Ato liberate the ha ogen from its different metal com ound, but capable of liberating the meta desired from oxygen.

' 18. The process of Winning metal from its oxid, which consists in electrolyzing a metal oXid, While associated With halogen-containing compounds of only such metals as are different from the metals desired and Which halogen-containing c'onpounds .are inert to the electrolytic cation.

19. The process of Winning metal from its in compounds of only such metals as are derent from the metal desired and which fluorin-containing compounds are inert to the electrolytic cation.

21. The process of winning metal from its oxid, which consists in electrically liberating the metal from its oxid, while associated with fluorid of only such metals as are different from the metal to be reduced, by subjecting the metal oxid to the action of an electric current oi a voltage below that necessary to liberate iiuorin `from the diiierent metal luorid but capable of liberating the metal desired. f

22. The process of Winning metal from its oxid, which consists in electrolyzin a metal oxid, while associated with luori of only such metal as is dilerent from the metal desired and which fluorid is inert to theelectrolytic cation.

23; The process of winnin aluminium, which consists in electrically liberating aluminium from its Oxy-compounds containing elements other than halogens, while associated with halogen-containing compounds of only such metals as are different from aluminium, by subjecting the aluminium oxycompounds to the action of an electric current of a Voltage below that necessary to liberate the halogen from its diiierent metal compounds, but capable of liberating aluminium.

24. The process of winning. aluminium, which consists in electrolyzing an aluminium -oxycompound containing elements other than halogen, while associated with halo encontaining compounds of only such meta s as are different from aluminium and which halogen-containing compounds are inert to aluminium.

25. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in electrically liberating aluminium from its oxid while associated with halogen-containing com ounds of only such metals as are different iirom aluminium, by subjecting the aluminium oxid to the action of an electric current of a Voltage below that necessary to liberate the halogen from its diiferent metal compounds, but capable of liberating aluminium from oxygen.

26. The process of winning aluminium,

i which consists in liberating it from its oxid by electrolysis, while associated with halogen-containing compounds Vof only such metals as are different from aluminium and which halogen-containing compounds are inert to aluminium.

2.7. The process of winnin aluminium, which consists in electrically liberating the same from its oxid, While associated with fluorin-containing Acompounds of only such metals as are different from aluminium, by subjecting the aluminium oxid to the action of an electric current oi a Voltage below that necessary to liberate fluorin from its diierent metal compounds, but capable of liberating aluminium from oxygen.

28. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberating aluminium from its oxid by electrolysis, while associated with iuorin-containing compounds of only such metals as are diiierent from aluminium and which ifluorin-containing compounds are inert to aluminium.

29. The process of winnin aluminium, which consists in electrically liberating aluminium from its oxid, while associated with halogen-containing compounds of only suchl metals as are dierent from aluminium, one of which is magnesium luorid, by subjecting the aluminium oxid to the action of an electric current of a voltage below that necessary to liberate the halogen from its dij'erent metal compounds, but capable of liberating aluminium from oxygen.

30. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberatin aluminium from its oxid by electrolysis, while associated with fluorin-containin com ounds of only such metals as are di erent rom aluminium, one of which is magnesium.

31. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberatin aluminium from its oxid while associated with iuorid of only such metals as are different from aluminium and whichfluorid is inert to aluminium, .by subjecting the aluminium oxid to the action of an electric current of avoltagc below that necessary to liberate fluorin from the difieraluminium from oxygen.

32. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberating aluminium from its voxid by electrolysis, while associated with iiuorid of only suchmetal as is different from aluminium, one of which lis magnesium.

33. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberating aluminium from its oxid by electrolysis, while associated with magnesium, calcium, and sodium luorids. j

34. The rocess of winning aluminium, which consists in. liberatin aluminium from its oxid by electrolysis, whi e associated with magnesium, calcium, and sodium iiuorids, and potassium chlorid.

35. The process ot'- winning aluminium, which consists in liberating aluminium from its oin'd by electro] sis, While associated With magnesium and ca cium luorid. y

36. The process of winning aluminium,

'which consists in liberating aluminium from and metal-yielding electric currents, passed through increments of the same, one or more anodes of which act as electrodes in common with the non-metal-yielding current.

38. The process of winning aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists in exposing the aluminium-containing substance to the action of' non-metalyielding and metal-yielding electric currents, passed through increments of the same, one or more anodes of which act as electrodes in common with the non-metal-yielding current.

39. The process of winning metal from Substances containing the same, which consists in passing a non-metal-yielding electric current through fused metal-containing substances between anodes of separate, multiple, metal-yielding electric circuits communicating with the fused substances.

40. The process of winning aluminium from substances containing the same, which consistslin passing a non-metal-yielding electric current, through fused aluminium-c ontaining substances, between anodes of separate, multiple, metal-yielding electric circuits communlc ating with the fused aluminium-c ont aining substances.

41. The process of winning metals from substances containing the same, which consists in passing a plurality of direct or metalyielding electric. currents through fused metal-containing substances from a common cathode to separate anodes, and su plying and discharging a non-metal-yiel mg or substances containing the same, which con-` heating electric current to and from the separate anodes through intervening increments of a metal-containing substance.

42. The process of winning aluminium fro substances containing the same, which consists 1n passing a plurality of direct or metalylelding electric currents through fused aluminium-containing substances from a comrnon cathode to separate anodes, and supplymg and discharging a non-metal-yielding or heating electric current to and from the separate anodes, through intervening increments of the aluminium-containing substance.

43. The process of winning metal from sists in maintaining fusion of metal-containing substances by passing a non-metal-yielding or heating electric current through increments thereof between electrodes or contacts which are in common with anodes of direct or metal-yielding electric currents.

44. The process of winning aluminium from substances containing the same, which consists in maintaining fusion of aluminiumcontainin substances by passing a nonmetal-yielrding or heating electric current through increments thereof between elec- -trodes or contacts which are in common with anodes of direct or metal-yielding electric currents.

45. The process of winning metals from substances containing the same, which consists in subjecting metal-containing substances to electrolysis, while maintaining the said substance in a fluid condition by the action of an alternating or non-metal-yielding current of electricity, passed through increments of the substance between anodes.

46. The process of winning aluminium from substances containing the same, which' consists in subjecting the aluminium-containing substance to electrolysis, while maintaining said substance in a fluid condition, by action of an alternating, or non-metal-yielding current of electricity passed through increments of the substance between anodes.

47. The process of maintaining fusion of substances for eleetrolytically winning metal from compounds containing the same, which consists inpassing through increments of the metal-containing substance, a non-metalyielding or heating electric current, communicated thereto through an anode in the electrolytic circuit.

48. The process of maintaining fusion of substances for electrolytically winning aluminium from its compounds, which consists in passing through increments of the aluminium-containing substance, a non-metalyielding or heating electric current, communicated thereto through an anode in the electrolytie circuit.

49. The process of winning aluminium, which consists in liberating aluminium from its oxid by electrolysis, while associated from aluminium and which fluoridV is inert to aluminium.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY SPENCER BLACKMORE.

Witnesses:

E. M. HOLMES,

J. R. NoTTrNGnAM.

with fluorid of only such metal as is different 

